Richt says defensive end Scott Patchan could make UM debut soon

First-year Hurricanes coach Mark Richt has plenty of experience against Georgia Tech after spending 15 years at Georgia. His thoughts on what Miami can expect as it opens ACC play against the Yellow Jackets on Saturday.

First-year Hurricanes coach Mark Richt has plenty of experience against Georgia Tech after spending 15 years at Georgia. His thoughts on what Miami can expect as it opens ACC play against the Yellow Jackets on Saturday.

For the Hurricanes defense, it’s been a rough start to the season on the injury front.

Corner Adrian Colbert, linebacker Darrion Owens, defensive end Scott Patchan and defensive tackles Anthony Moten and Courtel Jenkins have all missed time through Miami’s first three games while recovering from various injuries. But things are starting to look better for the whole lot of Hurricanes.

While Owens and Moten have worked their way back onto the field, Colbert was back at practice on Tuesday and is expected to play Saturday at Georgia Tech. Jenkins, meanwhile, traveled and dressed at Appalachian State and the hope is that Patchan – who tore his ACL in the spring – will be back soon.

“He got a little work on the scout team, just kind of breaking him in,” Hurricanes coach Mark Richt said Tuesday of Patchan. “We kind of did the same thing with Darrion Owens, kind of worked the scout team for until he just got comfortable with bodies around him, that kind of thing. I don’t know if it’ll be this game or not, but it’s relatively soon that [Patchan] will go.”

When the moment finally comes for Patchan to play, it’s hard to imagine it won’t be an emotional one.

The former four-star prospect and the son of two-time Hurricanes national champion Matt Patchan, Scott has yet to don a Miami jersey in a game after redshirting last season.

They're among national leaders in several statistical categories, both offensively and defensively.

And with their unblemished record, some college football analysts are touting them as one of the surprise teams in the nation...

He arrived in Coral Gables as the 19th-best rated defensive end in the country by Rivals and his debut will give the Hurricanes much-needed depth at a key position.

“I think he did a little pass rush live, did all of [defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski’s] drill work and coach Kul felt comfortable enough to put him in the pass rush drill … He got at least one rep, I really don’t know for sure how many reps, but coach thought he did a nice job.”

*The Hurricanes are doing the best they can to simulate Georgia Tech's triple option offense, but it's proving to be a challenge.

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Hurricanes QB N’Kosi Perry discusses his second chance at being UM’s starter

Hurricanes QB N’Kosi Perry discusses his second chance at being UM’s starter

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Hurricanes QB N’Kosi Perry discusses his second chance at being UM’s starter

Hurricanes QB N’Kosi Perry discusses his second chance at being UM’s starter

Richt is familiar with Paul Johnson's offense after his time at Georgia, and the Hurricanes veterans have seen the triple option in past meetings, but there's no doubt it will likely take some getting used to for Miami's young defenders.

"We do try to simulate it. We do try to watch film and say, ‘Do it this way,' but it’s just hard to do. You can probably do it in slow motion, maybe walk through and everybody can see it. Even with a little higher tempo than that. But when you try to do it full speed, our scout team’s full speed compared to theirs is…it’s just not close," Richt said. "I love our guys and I don’t care if you have the best athletes in America, it’s hard all of a sudden in one week’s time or two weeks’ with an open date to be able to execute the way they do. That’s the toughest part, just getting used to the speed of it.”

Added safety Rayshawn Jenkins, "It’s just repetition. We try to get the best game-like practice every day. We try to get those guys going through the different plays that they run, just reading their keys and trusting their eyes. If they do mess up, that’s why we have that veteran secondary, to kind of clean it up."

*A week after earning co-ACC Rookie of the Week honors after his 142-yard performance at Appalachian State, Hurricanes receiver Ahmmon Richards said he was excited by the recognition -- but that excitement didn't last all that long.

"My dad called me after the game and reminded me about the drop I had, so that's just how he is," the former Wellington High star said. "He sees the good, but he always sees the bad and reminds me of it. He keeps me grounded."